Abstract
When European settlers began arriving in North America in the sixteenth century, they brought their somewhat limited knowledge of astronomy with them. Still, with rudimentary instruments and supplemented by information and observations from others such as the First Nations, slowly over time that knowledge grew both in volume and value. When the separate provinces of Canada entered into Confederation in 1867, a new government was formed that one day would begin to deliberately invest in the sciences and technology which would eventually bring the country to the very edge of space itself. It would be a slow and uncertain journey, but one that Canada and many other countries pursued in their quest to break free from the bonds of the Earth.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
Doris Jelly, Canada: 25 years in Space (Ottawa: National Museum of Science and Technology, 1988), pp.13–17; and A.M. Pennie, Defence Research Northern Laboratory, 1947–1965 (Ottawa: Defence Research Board Report No.DR179, April 1966), pp.5–11.
- 2.
Donald Avery, The Science of War: Canadian Scientists and Allied Military Technology During the Second World War (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1998); and Andrew B. Godefroy, Defence & Discovery: Canada’s Military Space Program, 1945–74 (Vancouver: University of British Columbia Press, 2011). See also Privy Council Office [PCO]. John H. Chapman, P.A. Forsyth, P.A. Lapp, and G.N. Patterson, Upper Atmosphere and Space Programs in Canada: Special Study No.1 (Ottawa: Science Secretariat, February 1967); also published in abridged form as A Space Program for Canada: Report No.1 (Ottawa: Science Council of Canada, July 1967).
- 3.
D.J. Goodspeed, A History of the Defence Research Board of Canada (Ottawa: Queen’s Printer, 1958), p.6; see also M. Girard, ‘The Commission of Conservation as a Forerunner to the National Research Council, 1909–1921’, in Yves Gingras and Richard Jarrell (Eds), Building Canadian Science: The Role of the National Research Council. Scientia Canadensis, 15:2 (Ottawa: Canadian Science and Technology Historical Association, 1991), 19–40.
- 4.
P. Enros. ‘The Onery Council of Scientific and Industrial Pretence: Universities and the Early NRC’s Plans for Industrial Research’, in Yves Gingras and Richard Jarrell (Eds), Building Canadian Science: The Role of the National Research Council. Scientia Canadensis, 15:2, 41–52.
- 5.
Yves Gingras, Physics and the Rise of Scientific Research in Canada (Montreal & Kingston: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1991); For this period see also M. Thistle, The Inner Ring: The Early History of the National Research Council of Canada (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1966); and W. Eggleston, National Research in Canada: The NRC 1916–1966 (Toronto: Clarke Irwin, 1978).
- 6.
A. King et al., Reviews of National Science Policy: Canada (Paris, Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, 1969), p.43. See also Canada, Department of Reconstruction and Supply, Research and Scientific Activity, Canadian Federal Expenditures, 1938–1946. (Ottawa: King’s Printer, 1947).
- 7.
Ibid. 42–45.
- 8.
Other notable scientists included John Cockcroft (1897–1967), scientific director of the Anglo-Canadian atomic projects at Montreal and Chalk River; E.G.D. Murray (1890–1964), director of Canada’s biological warfare program between 1941–1945; Omond Solandt (1909–1993), a leading expert in Second World War operational research and the first director general of Canada’s post-war Defence Research Board; and George Wright (1904–1976), a prominent influence in Canada’s wartime explosives and propellants programs.
- 9.
The relationship between Churchill and Lindemann is described in C.P. Snow, Science and Government. (Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1961); for details on the relationship between Howe and Mackenzie and the rise of scientific influence in wartime Canada see G. Bruce Doern, Science and Politics in Canada (Montreal and London: McGill-Queen’s University Press, 1972), pp.4–49.
- 10.
NRC, Annual Report: 1944–45. (Ottawa: King’s Printer, 1945), p.7.
- 11.
Privy Council Office Series A-5-a, Volume 2636, 2, Cabinet Conclusion – Committee on Research for Defence 3 October 1944. Record Group [RG] 2, Library and Archives Canada [LAC].
- 12.
D.J. Goodspeed, A History of the Defence Research Board of Canada, pp.3–16.
- 13.
Ibid., 21.
- 14.
Avery, The Science of War, pp.228–255.
- 15.
Jason Sean Ridler, Maestro of Science: Omond McKillop Solandt and Government Science in War and Hostile Peace, 1939–1956 (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 2105).
- 16.
A. King et al., Reviews of National Science Policy: Canada (Paris: Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, 1969).
- 17.
H.E. Newell, Beyond the Atmosphere: Early Years of Space Science (Washington: NASA Publication SP-4211, 1974).
- 18.
Theodore R. Hartz and Irvine Paghis, Spacebound (Ottawa: Department of Communications – Minister of Supply and Services Canada, 1982), p.31.
- 19.
Ibid., p.49.
- 20.
Ibid., p.52.
- 21.
D.J. Goodspeed, A History of the Defence Research Board of Canada, p.192.
- 22.
Ibid. 194.
- 23.
One must also consider the fact that the sound barrier was not broken until October 1947, and that very little was known about the effects of the upper atmosphere on machines and humans until further advanced research was undertaken throughout the 1950s.
- 24.
G.D. Watson, ‘The Scientific Exploration of Space’, Canadian Aeronautical Journal. 6:3 (March 1960), 87–88.
- 25.
D.J. Goodspeed, A History of the Defence Research Board of Canada, pp.195–197.
- 26.
John H. Chapman Papers [hereafter JHC Papers], Manuscript Group [MG] 31 J43, LAC. Vols. 2–3 contain his graduate and postgraduate work.
- 27.
Op. cit. Goodspeed, p.197.
- 28.
Also known as the Mid-Canada Line, this early warning system employed McGill Fence technology developed at McGill University in Montreal. Construction began in 1954 and was completed in 1957 at a cost of $250 million. The line consisted of a chain of 98 radar stations, mostly unmanned, along Canada’s 55th parallel. The Mid-Canada Line was closed in 1965.
- 29.
For general studies of the IGY see Sydney Chapman, IGY: Year of Discovery (Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan Press, 1959); Marcel Nicolet, ‘Historical Aspects of the IGY’, Eos Transactions, 64:19 (May 10, 1983); and H.E. Newell, Beyond the Atmosphere: Early Years of Space Science, SP-4211 (Washington: National Aeronautics and Space Administration, 1974).
- 30.
There remains some academic debate over who actually first had the idea for the third IPY, Chapman or Berkner. For views on the former man’s claim see S. Chapman, IGY: Year of Discovery, while the latter’s claim is supported in Allan A. Needell, Science, Cold War and the American State: Lloyd V. Berkner and the Balance of Professional Ideals (Washington: National Air and Space Museum, 2000).
- 31.
Lloyd V. Berkner, ‘Science and Foreign Relations’ (Washington D.C.: Department of State, 1950) as cited in A. Needell, Science Cold War and the American State, p.299.
- 32.
G.K. Megerian, Secretary, Minutes of the Rocket and Satellite Research Panel, reports 36–40, dated October 7, 1953 through Februar 3,y 1955, V-2 UARP, History Office Files, NASA.
- 33.
Notice of Meeting—Coordinating Committee for the Canadian I.G.Y. Program dated October 28, 1958. File 9-2, Vol.9, MG30 J43, LAC.
- 34.
Richard Jarrell, The Cold Light of Dawn: A History of Canadian Astronomy (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1988), pp.156–157.
- 35.
JHC Papers. Speaking Notes—The International Geophysical Year Program in Canada. File 9–-2, Vol.9, MG31 J43, LAC.
- 36.
G.D. Watson, ‘The Scientific Exploration of Space’, Canadian Aeronautical Journal (March 1960), 87–88.
- 37.
H.B. Lutz, ‘Preparations for the IGY 1956–57’, in A.M. Pennie (Ed.) Defence Research Northern Laboratory, 1947–1965. (Ottawa: Report No. DR179, DRB April 1966), p.84.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2017 Springer International Publishing AG
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Godefroy, A.B. (2017). Northern Mariner: The Origins of Canadian Space Activities. In: The Canadian Space Program. Springer Praxis Books(). Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40105-8_1
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-40105-8_1
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-40104-1
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-40105-8
eBook Packages: Physics and AstronomyPhysics and Astronomy (R0)